Russell Smith fought for 36 days during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. At one point, the private had to take over what was left of his squad.

“It was hell,” he recounted at The Rose Hotel in downtown Pleasanton on Sunday afternoon, where he was one of the World War II veterans recognized at the “Greatest Generation” reception. “The Marine Corps listed it as the worst combat in Marine Corps history.”

The reception was held after the 11th annual Tri-Valley Veterans Day Parade and ceremony in Pleasanton, which honored the U.S. Coast Guard this year. Hundreds of people lined Main Street for the parade, which included veterans in World War II military vehicles, Palo Alto veterans who are hospital patients, Korean and Vietnam war veterans, and veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Rear Adm. Craig Bone, 11th district, U.S. Coast Guard, was the grand marshall. Jeb Bing, an Army veteran, was the emcee for the parade.

A ceremony followed at Veterans Plaza Park, where the Pleasanton Community Concert Band played marches. Pleasanton Mayor Jennifer Hosterman and San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson both thanked the veterans.

“There are two words that are not said enough. Thank you,” Wilson said. “Because of you (the veterans) we are sheltered under the branches of freedom.”

Congressman Jerry McNerney noted that the service of the Coast Guard is often overlooked.

“They go out when everyone else should be coming in,” he said. “They protect our shores from potential attack.”

The Coast Guard augments the Navy and takes on special missions. It is the oldest seagoing service, Hosterman said.

Veterans Day is officially the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, in celebration of the armistice of World War I, Rear Adm. Craig Bone said.

“Veterans are all around us,” he said. “One common virtue is humility. What is important to them is the fruits of their service.”

Bone said Coast Guard members are proud of being guardians of the United States. Since the Coast Guard began, it has saved more than 1 million lives.

He reminded those assembled that the military should not be viewed only in terms of war because the military has been present at catastrophes such as the Indonesian tsunami and the Southern California wildfires.

Beverly Balsley of Hayward attended the parade and ceremony as a military mother; her son, Spc. Michael Balsley, died in Iraq in January. She is a member of Operation Mom, a military family support group that sends packages to deployed troops. She enjoyed seeing the Patriot Riders in the parade, and she liked the ceremony.

“It was wonderful — such a tribute to the veterans,” she said.

Ana Macedo and George Perry came to see their son Zach play in the band.

“It’s wonderful to take time to honor the veterans,” Perry said.

After the ceremony, WWII veterans and their families went to The Rose Hotel for the reception, where they chatted with one another.

“We wanted to do something for the ‘Greatest Generation’ while there’s still time,” said Tom Walker, sales manager at the hotel.

All of the events meant a lot to Smith.

“It was fantastic. I appreciate what everybody did for all the veterans,” he said.